Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-09

PRESIDENT CLEVELAND WRITES
ABOUT HE DISPUTE.
The Question Of Closing United States
Markets to Canadian Fish Products.
The Retaliatory Act.


WASHINGTON, April S.-The Presi-
dent having received communication
from the American Fisheries Union of
Massachusetts,, calling attention TO the
fisheries dispute and suggesting that
the retaliatory act passed by the late
Congress would, in their opinion, be
sufficiently executed il the proposed
retaliation was confined TO the closing
Of the United States markets to the
Canadian fish products, he has made
the following answer:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, April 7, 1887.
George ISeel. Esq, President Amcri-
can Fishery Union, Gloucester,
Mass, and Others:
Gentlemen,-I have received your
letter addressed to me, and have given
full consideration to the expression o!
views and wishes therein contained in
relation to the existing differences be-
tween the Government of Great Britain
and the United States, growing out of
the refusal to award to our citizens en-
gagged in fishery enterprises privileges
to which they are entitled either under
treaty stipulations or guarantees of in
ternational comfy and neighborly con-
cessions.
L sincerely trust the apprehension
you express of unjust and unfriendly
treatment of American fishermen law
fully found in Canadian waters will not
be realized, but if such apprehension
should prove to be well founded, |
earnestly hope that no fault or incon-
siderate action of any of our citizens
will in the least weaken the Just posi-
ton of our Government or deprive us
Of the universal sympathy and support
to which we should be entitled. The
action of this Administration since June,
1885, when the fishery articles OF the
treaty of 1871 were terminated under
notification which had two years before
been given by our Government, has
been fully disclosed by correspondence
between the representatives of the
respective Governments with which,
/ am apprised by your letter,
you are entirely familiar. An exami-
nation of this correspondence has
doubtless satisfied you that in no case
have the rights or privileges of Amerl-
can fishermen been overlooked or neg
lectod, but that on the contrary they
have been sedulously insisted upon
and cared for by every means within
the control of the Executive branch Of
the Government. The act Of Congress
approved March 3, 1887, authorizing a
course Of retaliation through Executive
action in the event of continuance on
the part Of the British-American all
thor.ties Of unfriendly conduct and
treaty violations affecting Ameri-
can fishermen, has deyolved upon
the President Of the Unlted
States exceedingly grave and solemn
responsibilities, comprehending highly
important consequences to our national
character and dignity, and involving
extremely valuable commercial inter
course between the British possessions
in North America and the people Of
the United States. L understand the
main purpose of your letter is to sug-
gest that in case of recourse to the re-
taliatory measures authorized by this
act should be invited by unjust treat
ment of our fishermen in the future,
the object OF such retaliation might be
fully accomplished by prohibiting
Canadian-caught fish from entry into
the ports of the United States.
The existing controversy is one in
which two nGtionsare parties concerned.
The retaliation contemplated by the get
of Congress is to be enforced not to
protect solely any particular interest,
however meritorious or valuable, but to
maintain the national honor, and thus
protect all our people in this view. The
violation Of American fishery rights
and the unjust or unfriendly acts toward
portion of our citizens engaged in THIS
business is but an occasion for action,
and constitutes a national aifront which
gives birth to or may justify retaliation.
This measure once resorted to, its
effectiveness and value may well de
pend upon the thoroughness and extent
of its application, and in the per
Torrance of international duties, the
enforcement of international rights, and
the protection OF our citizens this Gov
eminent and the people of the United
States must act as unit, ill intent
mon attaining the best results OF re-
taliation upon the basis of a maintc-
nance of the national honor and duty.
A nation seeking by any means to
maintain its honor, dignity, and integ-
rity is engaged in protecting the
rights Of the people, and if in such eff
forts particular interests are injured
and special advantages forfeited, these
things should be periodically borne for
the public good. An immense volume
of reputation, manufactures, and ag-
ricultural productions, and marine
tonnage and railways, to which
these have given activity, al
largely the result of intercourse be-
tween the United States and British
America and the natural growth OF a
full half-century OF good neighborhood
and friendly communication, form an
aggregate Of material wealth and Incl
dental relations of the most impressive
magnitude. / fully appreciate these
things ard am not unmindful of the
great number of our people who are
concerned in such vast and diversified
interests.
In the performance Of the serious
duty which Congress has imposed upon
me. and in the exercise, upon a Just
occasion, of the power conferred under
the act referred to. shall deem myself
bound to infiict no unnecessary damage
or injury upon any portion OF our peo-
ple. but / shall nevertheless be un-
tlinchingly guided bya sense OF what
the self-respect and dignity OF the na.
ton demands. In the maintenance OF
these, and in support of the honor OF
the Government, beneath which every
citizen may repose i'll safety, no sacrl-
fee of personal or private interests
shall be considered as against the gen
eral welfare. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
TUE MORMONS.